An Overview of Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is based on people's behaviours, opinions and attitudes, the events that go on around them, their cultures, beliefs and practices. Based on methodologies, different types of qualitative research approaches can be classified into ethnography, grounded theory, interpretative phenomenological analysis, discourse analysis, conversation analysis, content analysis and narrative analysis. The main methods of data collection are interviews, focus groups, observations, collection of documented material and open-ended questions in questionnaires. The analysis involves summarising the frequencies of variables, differences between variables and statistical tests designed to estimate the statistical significance of results. Some data can be dealt in a quantitative way. All data are treated with appropriate confidentiality and anonymity. The research aims of every study should both benefit society and minimise social harm.